File for letters or other papers



May 19, 1931. J. F. DIXON ,8 5

' FILE FOR LETTERS on OTHER PAPERS Filed Sept. 16, 1929 '3 Sheets-Sheet l PIC-ILL May 19, 1931. J. F. DIXON 1,805,939

FILE FOR LETTERS OR OTHER PAPERS Filed Sept. 16, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 19, 1931. J. F. DIXON 1,805,939

FILE FOR LETTERS OR OTHER PAPERS Filed Sept. 16, 1929 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 19, 1931 JOHN FREDERICK DIXON, OF GREEN, ENGLAND rims FOR LETTERS 030mm PAPERS Application filed September is, race, Serial No. 393,017, and in Great Britain September 19, 1928.

This invention relatesto files, binders, and the like for. letters, loose leaves, or other papers, and refers more particularly to that type of file provided with one or more metal prongs attached to a base or cover part of the file, the letters or papers to be filed be ing punched with one or more holes and adapted to be placed upon the said metal prongs, the arrangen'i-entbeing such that the said prong or prongs is or are movable relative to the cover or base of the file to provide an opening to permit ofpapers being placed on, or removed from the said prong-or prongs when desired. l

One of the objects'of the present invention isto provide a generally improved file which will permit of more complete access to the papers for examination while in, the file, and a further object of the present in vention is to construct the file so that-it can be easily manipulated for the insertion or re moval or transfer of-papers.

Referring to thedrawings i- Figure 1 is a perspective view of'a part of a fileconstructed according to this in vention. i i

Figure 2' isa perspective view of another part of the file constructed according to this invention. i

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the same file showing the parts illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 assembled together. i

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section showing the parts illustrated in Figure 3 in a different position.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a transferring device for use with the file shown in' Figures 1 to 4. j

' Figure fi is a perspective view of the file with its parts positioned-ready for theapf plication of thetransferring device to it.

Figure 7 .is a similar view to Figure 6butshowing the transferring device applied to the file. I 1 i v I In the embodiment of my invention shown in the vdrawings I provide a file havingla cov-' er comprising two back portions 1 and 2 connected' together by 'anintermediate end por-' tion: 3', and the cover portionsl and 2' being suitably hinged t'o the end" portion 3 along 7 theinner transverse edges at 4% and 5. v l-l'bracket 6 is fixed to the end portion 3 of the file cover at or about the centre'of such end and near the edge 5 thereof; the bracket die provided with, turned-over parts 7 which carry a spindle 8 arrangedtransversely of the length of the open cover of the file and this spindle is provided for thepivoting of 1 a hinged arm 9 to the upper end of which is fixed a pair of primary prongs 10, 11. The primary prongs 10, 11 are spaced apartand are arranged to; extend longitudinally of the cover of the file and are-formed from a'length of metal wire bent into U-shaped form in plan and curved upwardly from their ends as seen in side elevation V Y Cooperating supporting guides 12and 13 are provided for the prongs 10 and 11 respectively and these supportingguides are ar- -7 ranged at the opposite edge of the end POT? tion 3 of the cover of the file to the bracket 6. v The supporting guides 12 and 13 areeach provided with a recess marked 14 and 15 respectively in the drawings for the reception h of the free ends of the prongs 10 and 11.

The two supporting'guides-12 and 13 are preferably formed from a sheet-metalblank; and are connected together by a'transverse part 16.

The supporting guides 12 and 13 are also preferably connected to the bracket 6 by lonr gitudinal angle-section members 17 and 18.

The hinged arm 9 is provided with an arm 19 to which is fixed one end of a blade spring 20, the other endiof this spring being adapted to engage in a'slot 21 in-a bracket 22, fixed to the end part 3 of the cover of the file somewhat as shown in the drawings. This bracket 22 preferably forms an integral part of the blankfrom which the supporting guides12 and 13 are formed, but alternatively the bracket may be made separate from the said blank.

The slot 21in the bracket 22 is preferably 7 open ended at 23 to permit of the spring be ing engaged in or released from the slot by swinging it, about the rivet 2& by which the spring is attached to the arm 19. a

The arm 19 is provided with an extension 25 which is preferably dished longitudinally so as to be substantially V-shaped in crosssection. This extension is adapted to be engaged on its under side by a lever arm 26 fixed on a spindle 27, carried in bearings in one of the members 18 and in a bracket 28 fixed to, or forming an integral part of the bracket 6. The lever arm 26 is retained in engagement with the projection 25 by means of a coil spring 29 mounted on the spindle 27 and having its opposite ends engaged respectively with the lever arm 25 and the member 18, this spring tending to turn the spindle 27 in a clockwise direction as seen from the operating handle end of the spindle.

The spindle 27 is provided with an upturned end 30 which forms an operating handle. The file is opened so that papers can be placed thereon or taken therefrom, by turnin g the spindle 27 through the medium'ot the handle 30, the opening of the prongsbeing accomplished by the lever arm 26 engaging the projection 25 and turning the arm 9carrying the prongs upon its pivot.

When the prongs 10 and 11 are in a partly open position for placing papers on them the handle 30 on the spindle 27 occupiesa position somewhat as shown in dotted lines 31. The prongs are closed after the papers have been put on them, eitherby taking hold of the lever 30 and turning it in a direction opposite to that in which it is turned for opening the prongs or by closing the cover of the file and so causing the part 2 of the cover to engage the handle 31 and turn the spindle 27 The parts for opening and closing the primary prongs of the file disposed so that there is an over-dead-centre arrangementbetween the projection 25 and lever arm 26,

whereby in cooperation with the spring 20 the prongs are retained in either their open position or their closed position depending upon the position of the lever arm 26.

In order to facilitate the inspection the papers on the file or the removal of papers from the file or the placing of papers onthe file, a set of secondary prongs is provided which cooperate with the primary prongs as will hereinafter be described.

Each file may be provided with secondary prongs but it is only considered necessary in practice to employ one set of secondary prongs with each 10 or 12 files and to this end the secondary prongs are detachable the file in addition to being movable for en gaging them with r disengaging them from the primary prong The drawings illustrate at Figure 2a set of secondary prongs 32, 33 and the partsconnected therewith, detached from file. The secondary prongs 32 and 33 are provided with sockets or recesses at their free ends 34 and the primary prongs 10 and 11 are provided with spigots 35 which are adapted to engage in the sockets in the secondary prongs.

The secondary prongs form part of a U- shaped frame 36 having a transverse part 37 hingedly mounted on a hinged arm 38.

The hinged arm 38 is fixed on a spindle 39 carried in bearings 40 provided on a bracket 41 adapted to be secured to the cover 1 oi the file. The spindle 39 extends in one direction beyond one of the bearings 40 and is provided with an operating handle or lever arm at its outer end.

The secondary prongs 32 and 33 are braced together by transverse member 43 which is provided with hooks 44 at opposite ends to which hoo-ks'are connected the ends of a coiled spring 45 engaged at or about its centre with a hook member 46., carried by the bracket 41. This spring is so disposed that it tends to retain the prongs in either a forward or rearward position. The prongs are shown in Figure 2 in a rearward position and to advance the prongs the spindle 39 has to be turned in its bearings through the medium of the lever 82.

The bracket 41 is attached to the file by means of a projection 4'? carried by the bracket 41 and which may conveniently take the form oi a length of wire adapted to engage in an eye 48 provided on the cover 1 of the file as is shown clearly in Figure 3 and by means of a bolt arrangement adapted to engage with the supporting guides 12 and 13. V

The bolt arrangement comprises a fixed pin 49 secured to an upturned portion 50 of the bracket 41 and which pin is adapted to engage in a hole 51 formed in the supporting guide 12 as is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3.

A slidable pin 52 is also provided and is adapted to engage with a hole in the supporting guide 13, which hole is exactly like the one in the supporting guide 12. The slidable pin 52 is spring-pressed in an outward direction and is provided with a collar 53 by which it can be slidden in its bearings and so disengaged from the supporting guide 13.

The bracket 41 is fixed to the file by first engaging the projection 47 with the eye 48 and then engaging the fixed pin 49 with the hole 51 in the supporting guide 13.

This arrangement of mounting the bracket 41 in the file is such as to permit of the file being closed whilst the secondary prongs are in position on the file, the movement of the file during the closing thereof causing the projection 47 to slide in the eye 48 and the bracket 46 to be rotated about the pins 51 and 52. When the wire is in its opened position the bracket 41 occupies an inclined position as is shown in Figure 4, whilst when the file is closed with the secondary prongs in posi tion the bracket 41 lies substantially parallel zfiind adjacent to the part1 of the cover of the le. V i

' When the secondary prongs are attached to the'file their inner socketed ends rest in the recesses 1% and 15 adjacent to the spigoted from the primary prongs on to the'secondary prongs and opened out substantially flatly so that they. can be inspected or new papers may be placed on the file, or papers may be taken from the file. If papers are to be added to or taken from the midst of the papers on the file, some of the papers on the file aremoved on tothe secondary pron'gswhilsttheseprongs are engaging the primary prongs to form the continuous bridge, the secondary prongs are then lowered and then the new papers are placed on the primary prongs or are taken from the latter.

VVhen'the secondary prongs are lowered as just described, the primary prongs remain in their raised position by virtue of the lever arm 26 supporting the projection 25.! It will i be understoodthat when the primary prongs 10 and 11 are raised by the secondary prongs 32 and 33 the spring on the spindle-'27 causes the lever arm 26 to engageunder the projection 25 which projection rises with'the prongs 10 and 11. 7

When the new papers have. been added to, or the old papers have been removed from the primary prongs the latter are lowered and the secondary prongs32 and 33 will ad vance to again form the continuous bridge and the papers on the secondary prongs are transferred tothe primary prongs. The secondary and primary prongsare then lowered in turn. The secondary prongsvmay bere-V moved from the file or not as desired before thefile is closed. 1 I

prongs 54: and 55 are connected together at one end by means of a transverse portion 56 which is pivotally mounted in a turnechover part 57 of an upturned end 58 of adetachable bracket 59.

The bracket 59 is provided with a'turned up part 58 at one end and at the opposite endisprovided with aturned-up part 60 hav ing ahorizontal extension 61 with a downwardly extending lip 62,,the parts 60', 61, and 62 forming a portion of approximately hook form. The parts 61. and: 62 and the upper part of the portion 60 are not'quite so wide'as. I

the lower portion of the part 60. The bracket 59 is wider adjacent the upturned end 60 than at the end adjacent the upturned portion 58. The bracket 59 is adapted to be attached to the file for the transfer of papers fromthe primary prongs and this cannot be accomplished until the primary prongs have been moved in a raised position such as is shown in Figure 6 of the drawings. In order to enable these prongs to be raised the blade spring 20 is rotated upon the vrivet 24: and disengaged from the slot 21 in the bracket 22 and the arm 9 carrying the primaryprongs is rotatedupon the spindle 8. i o

vThe bracket 59 is then placed on the file by engaging the hook-like end of the turnedprongs are in a position such that they can be engaged" with the secondary prongs jto form a continuous arch or bridge as also shown in Figure 7. i

Thebracket 59 is loc ked in. the position 63 on a lever 64 pivoted at65 to thebracket,

' which projection is adapted to engage in the slot 21in the bracket 22in which slot the blade, spring 20 normally engages.

The bracket 59 is cut away at 66 to per mit of the engagement of the projection 63 with the slot 21. V k To transfer papers from one file toatrans fer file the papers are first moved onto the secondary prongs in the manner hereinbefore described, the secondary prongs are low- 'eredinto the position shown in Figure- 6 and the primary prongs are raised as also shown in Figure 6. The transfer prongs-Mend 55 are then engaged with thesecondary prongs as illustrated in Figure 7;and the papers in-,

litially moved onto the secondary prongs are nowmoved. on to the transfer prongsupThe secondary prongs are then retracted and the transfer prongs are. also lowered and are locked in this lowered positionby means of a pivotal locking clip 67 shown clearlyin Figure 5 which is provided with a somewhat spiral path in which one of the transfer prongs is adapted to be engaged. The transfer prongs are then removedfrom the file and the papers are transferred toanother file by a reversal of the operations, already described for transferring, or the transfer prongs together with the bracket 59 are mounted: in a cover. V 1

A cover for receiving the transfer bracket '59 is shown in Figure 5 and'provided with a plate member 68 provided with, spaced loop members 69 adapted'to pass through holes or apertures 76in the bracket 59 andto receive locking rods 71 after the transfer bracket 59 has beenplaced on them. q

lVhile in accordance with the provisionsof up part 60 over the supportingguides 12 and 13 as shown in Figure 7 so-that the transfer 1 shownrin Figure 7 by means of a projection the statutes, I have illustrated and described the best form of embodiment of my invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing rom the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims, and that in some cases certain features of my invention may be used to advantage Without a corresponding use of other features.

What I claim then is 1. A file for letters, sheets, papers and the like comprising one or more primary prongs, mounting means therefor, a supporting guide with which the primary prong or prongs is or are adapted normally to engage, and a secondary or extension prong for each primary prong adapted to be engaged with the corresponding primary prong in a manner such that the latter is raised from the supporting guide and a continuous bridge is formed over the latter by such engaged primary and secondary prongs.

2. A file for letters, sheets, papers and the like comprising one or more primary prongs, mounting means therefor, a supporting guide with which the primary prong or prongs is or are adapted normally to engage, a secondary or extension prong for each primary prong, said secondary prong, or prongs being mounted in a movable manner for attachment to cover of the file and each being adapted to be engaged with the corresponding primary prong in a manner such that the latter is raised from the supporting guide and a continuous bridge is formed over the latter by such engaged primary and secondary prongs.

3. A file for letters, sheets,papers and the like comprising one or more primary prongs pivotally associated with the cover of the file, a supporting guide for each primary prong and with which the primary prong is adapted normally to engage, said supporting guide or guides being mounted on the cover of the file so as to be capable of receiving the end or ends of said prong or prongs, a secondary or extension prong for said primary prong, said secondary prong or prongs being adapted to be engaged with the corresponding primary prong or prongs and mechanical means for advancing or retracting said secondary prongs in relation to the primary prongs in a manner such that the latter is or are raised from the supporting guide and a continuous bridge is formed over the latter by such engaged primary and secondary prongs.

4. A file for letters, sheets, papers and the like comprising one or more primary prongs hingedly associated with the cover of the file,

a supporting guide for each primary prong and with which the primary prong is adapted normally to engage, said supporting guide or guides being mounted on the cover of the file so as to be capable of receiving the end or ends of said prong or prongs, a secondary or extension prong for each primary prong, a secondary crank pivotally carrying said secondary prong or prongs, and itself pivotally associated with the said file cover, an operating member adapted to turn said secondary crank about its pivot, said secondary prong or prongs being movable thereby to or from the primary prong or prongs, said secondary pron or prongs being adapted to interengage with the primary prong or prongs in a manner such that contlnued advancement of the secondary prong or prongs towards the primary prong or prongs causes all the prongs to rise and form a bridgeor bridges over the supporting guide or guides, such bridge or bridges enabling the letters, sheets, or papers on the file tobe spread out on or moved on to the secondary prongs.

5. A file for letters, sheets, papers and the like comprising a cover primary prongs, a pivotal primary crank carrying said primary prongs, a primary crank operating lever arm, operating means therefor, spring means adapted to retain said primary prongs in a closed position or in cooperation with the said lever arm, in an open position, said primary crank operating lever arm being adapted to control the movement of said prongs into said two positions, means associated with the. said file cover adapted to carry said primary crank and primary crank operating lever arm, a supporting guide for said primary prong and with which the primary prong is adapted normally to engage, said supporting guide or guides being mounted on the cover of the file so as to be capable of receiving the end of said prong, a secondary or extension prong for each primary prong, a pivotal secondary crank carrying said secondary prongs, an operating member adapted to turn said secondary crank aboutits pivot, a bracket detachably associated with the file and adapted to carry the said secondary prongs and the parts connected therewith, said secondary prongs being movable to and from the primary prongs through the medium of said secondary crank and operating members and being adapted to interengage with the primary prongs in a manner such that continued advancement of the secondary prongs towards the primary prongs causes all the prongs to rise and form bridges over the supporting guide or guides, such bridges enabling the letters, sheets, or papers on the file to be spread out on or moved on to the secondary prongs.

6. A file for letters, sheets, papers and the like comprising a primary prong, mounting means therefor, a supporting guide with which the primary prong is adapted normally to engage, a secondary or extension prong for said primary prong, mounting means for said secondary prong, the secondary prong being adapted to engage normally fthesupporting guide, said secondary prong being adaptedto be engaged with the corresponding primary prong in .a manner:

suchthat the latter is raised from the supporting guide and a continuous bridge is formed over the latter by such engaged primary and secondary prongs, detachable means carrying one or more transfer prongs prong and withwhich the primary prong is bracket insaid cover.

adapted normally to engage, said supporting guide or guidesbeing mounted onthe cover of the file so as to becapableofreceiving the end orends of said prong or prongs, a secondary or extension prong for said primary prong also adapted to engage normally the supporting guide, said secondary prongs being adapted to be engaged with the corresponding primary prong or prongs, mechanical means for advancing or retracting said secondary prongs in relation to the primary prongs, in a manner such that the latter is or are raised from the supporting guide and a continuous bridge is formed over the la tt er by such engaged primary and secondary prongs, a' detachable transfer bracket carrying prongs adapted to be mounted on the file in a manner such that each transfer prongcan engage a secondary prong in place of a primary prong and so forma continuous bridge over the said supporting guides, said primary prongs being adapted to be moved into an out-of-the-way position to allow of the mounting of the said transfer prongs on the cover of the file. I

8. A file for letters,sheets,papers and the like according to claim 7, having in combination therewith a transfer cover adapted to receive'said bracket carrying the transfer prong or prongs, and means for securing said 9. A file for letters, sheets,-papers and the like comprising a cover, primary prongs, a pivotal primary crank carrying said primary prongs, a primary crank operating lever arm,

operatmg -means therefor,- spring means adapted to retaln sa1d prlmary prongs m a closed positlon or, in cooperatlon wlththe said lever arm, in an open position, said spring means comprising a blade spring. pivotally connected at one end to said pivotal primary crank, a bracket associated with the said cover and havingan open-ended slot in which the non-pivoted end of said blade spring. is adaptednormally'to be anchored, said spring being releasable from said an-' chorage to permit of the primaryprongsbeinginoved into an out-of-the-way position, said primary crank operating leverarmbeing adapted to control the movement vof said prongs into said two positions, means associated withthe file cover adapted to carry said primary crank and primary crank opera ating lever. arm, av supporting guide for each primary prong and with which the primary prong is adapted normally to engage, .said supporting guide or guides being mounted on the cover of the file soasto be capable of'receiving'the end of said prong, a secondary or extension prong for each primary prong, a pivotal secondary crank carrylng sa1d secondary prongs, an o-peratlng member adapted to turn said secondary-crank aboutits pivot and a bracket 'detachably associated with the file and adapted to carry the said'secondary prongs 1 and the parts connected therewith, said secondary prongs beingmovable to" and from the primary prongs through the medium of. said secondary crank and voperating members, said ,secondary pron-gs being adapted to be interengaged with the primary.

prongs in a manner such that continued ad-,

vancement of the secondary prongs towards the primary prongs causesall theprongs to rise and form a bridge or bridges over the supporting guide or guides, such bridge or bridges enabling the letters, sheets or papers onthe file to be spread out on or moved on to the secondary prongs, and a detachable transfer bracket carrying transfer prongs adapted to be mounted on ,the file in a man ner such that each transfer prong can engage a secondary prong in place of a primary prong and so form-a continuous bridge over the said supporting guides, said primary prongs being adapted to be'moved intoan out-of-the-way position to allow :01 the mounting of the said transfer prongs onthe cover of the file. Y

' .10. A file for I letters, the like, comprising one or more prongs, a support with which these prongs are adapted to vengage, said prongs being adapted normally to form an arch of short span on which the she'etsare adapted, normally to be filed,

additional meansadapted to cooperate with said prong or prongs for forminganextenous bridgeor arch extending over said p'rongi and on 1 'sion of said prongs and providingza contini engaging means having a long span which thesheets can be moved;

'. 11. A file. for letters, sheets, papers and the like, comprising one or more prongs, a supportwith which these prongs are adapted to engage, said prongs being adapted normally to form an arch of short span on which the sheets are adaptednormally to befiled, additional secondary means adapted to cosheets, papers and 7 ing said primary prongs, a primary crank operate with said prong or prongs for forming an extension of said prongs and providing a continuous bridge or arch extending over said prong-engaging means having a long span on which the sheets can be moved, and transfer means adapted to cooperate with said secondary means instead of said primary prongs to form a continuous bridge over which the sheets can be moved for transferring them from said secondary means to the transfer means and said transfer means being detachable from the file. V

12. A file for letters, sheets, papers and the like, comprising one or more pairs of prongs, means for carrying the prongs, each pair of prongs comprising a primary prong and a secondary prong, one prong of each pair of prongs being pivotally associated with the said carrying means, the other prong of the same pair of prongs being mounted movably on said carrying means and movable to and from the other prong, and means for ef fecting such movement, the advancing movement of the said prong being adapted to cause the pair of prongs to rise and form a continuous bridge of relatively wide span, whilst the said retraction movement causes the disengagement of the prongs.

13. A file for letters, sheets, papers and the like, comprising in combination a cover hav ing an end portion and two side portions hingedly attached to said end portion, primary prongs, a pivotal primary crank carryoperating lever arm, an operating handle therefor, an extension on said pivotal primary crank with which said operating lever arm is adapted to engage, spring means for retaining such operating lever arm in engagement with said extension, spring means adapted to retain said primary prongs in a closed position, or, in co-operation with the said lever arm, in an open position, said spring means comprising a blade spring pivotally connected at one end to said pivotal primary crank, a bracket associated with the cover of the file and having an open ended slot in which the non-pivoted end of said blade spring is adapted normally to be anchored, said spring being releasable from said anchorage to permit of the primary prongs being moved into an out-of-the-way position, said primary crank operating lever arm being adapted to control the movement of said prongs into said two positions, the dis position of said operating handle being such that if,'when moving one of the side portions of the file cover from an open to a closed position, the primary prongs are in a raised position, the said side portion of the cover is adapted to engage the said operating handle and effect automatically the lowering of the primary prongs, means associated with the file cover adapted to carry said primary crank, primary crank operating lever arm,

and operating handle, a supporting guide for each primary prong, said supporting guide or guides being mounted on the cover of the file so as to be capable of receiving the end of said prong, and a secondary or extension prong foreach primary prong also normally adapted to engage the supporting guide, a pivotal secondary crank carrying said sec ondary prongs, a bracket by which said secondary crank and operating levers are carried, an operating member adapted to turn said secondary crank about its. pivot, and means for detachably associating said bracket with the parts of the file, said secondary prongs being movable to and from the primary prongs through the medium of said secondary crank and operating members, said secondary prongs being adapted to be interengaged with the primary prongs in a manner such that continued advancement of the secondary prongs towards the primary prongs causes all the prongs to rise and form a bridge or bridges over the sup porting guide or guides, such bridges enabling the letters, sheets, or papers on the file to be spread out on, or moved on to, the secondary prongs, a detachable transfer bracket carrying transfer prongs adapted to be mounted on the file in a manner such that each transfer prong can engage a secondary prong in place of a primary prong and so form a continuous bridge over the said supporting guides, said primary prongs being adapted to be moved into an out-of-the-way position to allow of the mounting of the said transfer prongs on the cover of the file, a transfer cover adapted to receive said bracket carrying the transfer prong or prongs, and means for securing said bracket in said cover.

' 1a. A file for letters, sheets, papers and the like, comprising in combination a cover having an end portion and two side portions hingedly attached to said end portion, primary prongs, a pivotal primary crank carrying said primary prongs, a primary crank operating lever arm, an operating handle therefor, an extension on said pivotal primary crank with which said operating lever arm is adapted to engage, spring means for retaining such operating lever arm in engagement with said extension, spring means adapted to retain said primary prongs in a closed position, or, in cooperation with the said lever arm, in an open position, said spring means comprising a blade spring pivotally connected at one end to said pivotal primary crank, a bracket associated with the cover of the file and having an open-ended slot in which the non-pivoted end of said blade spring is adapted normally to be anchored, said spring being releasable from said anchorage to permit of the primary prongs being moved into an out-of-the-way position, said primary crank operating lever arm being adapted to control the movement of said prongs into said two positions, the disposition of said operating handle being suchthat 1f, when moving one of the side portions of the file cover from an open to a closed position, the primary prongs are in a raised position, the said side portion of the cover is adapted to engage the said operating handle and effect automatically the lowering of the primary prongs, means associated with the file cover adapted to carry said primary crank, primary crank operating lever arm, and said operating handle, a supporting gulde for each primary prong, sald supportlng guide or guides being mounted on the cover of the file 7 so as to be capable of receiving the end of v said prong, and a secondary or extension prong for each primary prong also adapted to engage normally the supporting guide, a pivotal secondary crank carrying said secondary prongs, a bracket by which said secondary crank and operating lever are carried, an

operatingmember adapted to turn said secondary crank about its pivot, and means for detachably associating said bracket with the parts of the file in a manner such that the file can be opened or closed v with the said bracket in position in the file, said secondary prongs being movable to and from the primary prongs through the medium of said secondary crank and operating members, said secondary prongs being adapted to interengage with the primary prongs in a manner such that continued advancement of the secondaryprongs towards the primary prongs causes all the prongs to rise and form a bridge or bridges over the supporting guide or guides, such bridges enabling the letters, sheets, or papers on the .file to be spread out on, or moved on to, the secondary'prongs,

spring means adapted to retain the second ary prongs in either an advanced or a retracted position, a detachable transfer bracket carrying transfer prongs adapted to be mounted on the file in a manner such that each transfer prong can engage a secondary prong in place of a primary prong and so form a continuous bridge over the said supporting guides, means for locking the said transfer bracket to a part of the file, said primary prongs being adapted to bemoved into an out-of-the-way position to'allow of the mounting of the said transfer prongs on the cover of the file, a transfer cover adapted to receive said bracket carrying the transfer prong or prongs, and'means for securing sald bracket in said cover.

In witness whereof I aifiX my signature. JOHN FREDERICK DIXON. 

